The Ancient Apostolic Communion was formed out of the Continuing Apostolic United States Episcopacy (CAUSE) in August of 2002 when it was decided that CAUSE should be closed. It was founded to answer a call for more liberty in liturgical worship and to give the freedom to ordain women to all ranks of the clergy.
History edit
The Ancient Apostolic Communion was founded on August 22, 2002 at the synod of the Continuing Apostolic United States Episcopacy (CAUSE). The founding members were Archbishop Gregory Godsey, Bishop Sean Alexander, Bishop John A. Parker Jr.[1], Father David S. Jennings and Deacon Andrew Pitt. The number of members in the Ancient Apostolic Communion has fluctuated over the years. As of October of 2006, there is 1 bishop, 2 priests (in South Carolina and Kentucky) and 1 deacon (in South Carolina); with about a dozen people ministered to in South Carolina and over 50 people ministered to on a regular basis in Kentucky.
All clergy in the church have paid jobs outside the church, although they may receive a stipend from the church if possible. The Ancient Apostolic Communion allows its clergy to be married and has no prohibitions against homosexual clergy.
The main congregation of the Ancient Apostolic Communion is Saint Peter's Church in North Augusta, South Carolina. It was founded by Bishop John A. Parker Jr. in 2002.[2] Saint Peter's has acquired land as of October 6, 2006 and will begin construction of a church building in the spring of 2007.
Doctrine edit
The Ancient Apostolic Communion does not accept the primacy of the Roman Catholic Pope, nor does it accept the letters from Pope Benedict XVI in which he refuses admittance of homosexuals into the priesthood.
Since late 2005, the Ancient Apostolic Communion, has stood firmly on the side of those in the Roman Catholic Church who are disenfranchised by the recent Instruction on homosexuals in seminaries. In a paper entitled On Inclusiveness, His Holiness, Patriarch Anthony I, declared that the church would accept homosexuals to all ranks of the clergy as well a proclaiming that they believe the Bible does not outright condemn homosexuality and that there is no church history to back up the claim that the church prohibited it either.
The first in a long line of controversies came with the introduction of a letter entitled On Female Clergy. In this letter, the church declared that it would begin ordaining women to all ranks of clergy.
Reference edit
- ^ The Aiken Standard, September 13, 2003. "A native of Baton Rouge, La., he (Bishop John A. Parker Jr.) was a co-founder, a bishop and a priest in The Ancient Apostolic Communion."
- ^ Augusta Chronicle. Re-enactors celebrate man's fulfilled life. September 11, 2003. "Mr. Parker even started a church in North Augusta - St. Peter's Church on Winterberry Way."
See also edit
External links edit